THANKSGIVING DAY EVERY DAY!

November 27 

Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, let us make a loud shout to Him with songs of praise. Psalm 95:2

Our Lord seems to love to give us seemingly impossible commands to obey.  Such a one is found in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, “In everything give thanks, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”  Ephesians 5:20 explains that one result of being filled with or controlled by the Holy Spirit is “Always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  Whoa!  Now we are in even deeper, not just giving thanks IN everything but also FOR all things and doing it ALWAYS! 

The Greek verb for “give thanks” means to “express thanks well, freely and graciously.”  It is in the present tense meaning to do it continually, constantly, habitually, now.  It is also in the active voice expressing strong personal involvement in doing it rather than just passively thinking about it.  Finally, it is a command and not optional.  The Lord desires our responses to be like the Marines “Hua!” – “Heard, Understood, Acknowledged!” 

There is no doubt about God’s will here in 1 Thessalonians 5:18!!  Who can obey such a command?  Only those in Jesus Christ who are born again, saved, redeemed through repenting from their sins and trusting Jesus alone for forgiveness and eternal life (John 3:16).   

It is always easier and natural to complain about all things rather than give thanks and praise to God for all things.  Even if our whole world is falling apart, as believers we can still thank God everyday for His unspeakable, inexpressible and incomparable gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 9:15).  Let’s make everyday Thanksgiving Day as we praise God from whom ALL blessings flow! 

Bob Kulp